My ratings by kids age

Great Location For the Whole Family

There are long beaches and lots of activates including wave runners, sunset catamaran sunset cruises, snorkeling, horse back riding on the beach, fishing, beach yoga, surfing, scuba diving all available within minutes of the hotel. There are 2 pools and a swim up bar.

Tips for Families

The hotel is nice but I suggest staying on the top floor and middle section of the hotel for the best views of the ocean. Also, since there a few hotels many families rent a vacation home while staying in Rincon which I've also done while vacationing in Rincon.

My ratings by kids age

Beautiful rainforest in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is easy to get to, part of the United States, but feels like you've traveled far and you're in a foreign country. The rain forest is stunning and beautiful. We hiked there for a half day, saw gorgeous plants, and would happily go back again. The trip is worth it, just to be in the rain forest. Do you have coleus plants in your garden? They grow wild in the rain forest! Also, there is a gorgeous visitor center, easy and more difficult trails, well worth visiting!

Tips for Families

Make sure you leave room in your visit to go see the rain forest, one of the wonderful natural attractions for all ages.

My ratings by kids age

Annual Thanksgiving family trip

Beautiful resort, very spread out so be prepared to walk, tram, boat it to get around. My kids enjoyed it but since it was so big I found we didn't meet kids their ages because there is so many different areas, beach , several pools, water park. There was zero teen organized activities compared to Beaches resorts we have been too. Food was good but everything is additional this is not all inclusive and you cannot purchase a meal plan. Water park was a big hit as was all the beach water sports but again be prepared to spend lots of $. This is billed as a Waldorf property and I would strongly disagree with that, I would expect service to exceed expectations at a Waldord and that isn't the case. My son wants to go back since we try a new place every year this didn't wow my enough to change our normal routine.

Tips for Families

If you prefer to spend your days at the water park or at the private beach stay in the Marina rooms, you will be close to the access for both. Otherwise you need to take the tram elevator and good luck with the lines getting back up at the end of the day. You need to book meal reservations in advance as they fill up quick but there are several locations you can just walk into. A family fav of ours was the Japanese/sushi.

My ratings by kids age

A Perfect Stay

When we visited San Juan, it was a toss-up between the Caribe Hilton or El Convento in the Old San Juan. We opted for the Caribe Hilton for several reasons, including the fact that it has its own private beach and its own private historical fortress (Fuerte San Gerónimo). Plus, it's an easy public bus ride away from Old San Juan, which is where you'll want to spend the bulk of your time sightseeing when you're not at the resort. We were greeted with an array of flavored waters and caged exotic birds when we arrived. Our room was spacious and comfortable with a balcony and great views of the beach and the fort (be sure to request this view when making reservations). The pool area is gorgeous, and we also swam in the ocean after dark. The private beach is sheltered and appropriate for children. We were also pleased with our dining experience at Lemongrass on the premises (Pan Asian Latino) that we happened upon while strolling through the gardens. Also, when the hotel bar claims to make the best piña colada in San Juan, believe it. The Caribe Hilton also claims to have invented it; we also visited their competitor who claims the same in Old San Juan, and it was laughable (unless you like your piña colada to come from Slushie machines). Don't miss the one at Caribe Hilton! This is a really fantastic resort for couples and families alike to relax and unwind. We would absolutely go back.

Tips for Families

Take the bus to Old San Juan and download a walking tour map online. The kids will love the old forts and the grounds; bring a Frisbee or a kite. For a great seafood meal in Old San Juan, try Aguaviva.

My ratings by kids age

Beautiful Rainforest & Observatory

Our half-day trip to El Yunque was more like a full day, coming from the Caribe Hilton in San Juan – we didn’t return until the middle of the afternoon. Just be aware that it could take longer than you think, depending on traffic. Our tour guide was very friendly and personable, telling us many personal anecdotes contrasting his life in Puerto Rico with his time spent in the continental United States. We started at the observatory area, learning about some of the species of plants and animals that we could expect to see in the rainforest. In particular, the coqui (small frog with a distinctive call) and the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot. We climbed a small tower for panoramic views and saw many small, pretty waterfalls during our hike. Our guide found a wild coqui for us to observe. At the conclusion of the tour, we stopped at a roadside stand for lunch. The food was decent and cheap and typical of the region (mostly fried). An unexpected treat was the views of residential neighborhoods in the outskirts of San Juan on the bus ride to and from El Yunque. Bring a good camera.

Tips for Families

If an organized tour like this advertises hotel pickup at one particular hotel, always double check. We went to the hotel that advertised itself as a pickup point only to be taken back to our own hotel on the bus to pick up more passengers. Oops.

Suggestions for nearby family-friendly accommodations

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Suggestions for nearby family-friendly restaurants

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My Kid's Review

Sometimes you need to step outside of yourself and realize that there's more to life (and the universe) than just *you.* I find this is best accomplished when faced with moments of sheer joy and beauty. Taking a walk around El Morro is one of these times. It's awe-inspiring to walk these grounds and ponder just how long it's been here. It's pretty incredible to stroll about the rocky crevices and think who's been there before you, what happened on this very step... and what's to come in the future. It will put a smile on your face to see children running with pure abandon -- giggling all the while -- in an effort to build up enough speed to make their kites take flight... only to have their mother or father ...

Were you the kind of kid that grew up building forts, and begging your parents to take you to real forts to play hide and seek with your brother, only to come running back to them because you thought the Magazine was haunted? (If you thought I just referenced a book full of fashion ads...you probably don't need to keep reading) If so, This is the place for you. I am a total fort junkie. From simple earthworks of early North American Colonization, to the walls of Old Quebec City, my imagination runs wild. El Morro has to be one of the most dramatic, complex, and accessible forts I have visited. If not just to take in the views of the bay, shore, and OSJ, or to really dive into the history to understand the...

For those who's Spanish is a little off, this is a park. It's a great place for the kids to run around. A lot of weekends live bands come out and play mini shows in the park. You wanna stay for those, those shows are amazing. People dance and it's like one big party. If you can take a look down a...